Guardiola says doctors were happy with the results and "that everything was going well ... which is the best news."

Abidal's cousin was the liver donor for Tuesday's surgery.

The 32-year-old Abidal underwent surgery on a liver tumour in March 2011 and returned to play sparingly at the end of last season. He was a regular all of this season until last month when the Spanish champions announced the need for the transplant.

Abidal joined from Lyon in 2007 and has helped the club win two Champions League titles and three straight Spanish leagues.